New government must act now on arthritis 

"With our new Prime Minister Andy Burnham considering his government’s priorities, I believe it is essential that addressing poor musculoskeletal (MSK) health is amongst them or his plans for growth and tackling inequalities will fall short. 

Good musculoskeletal health underpins almost every aspect of our lives. It enables us to work, live independently, care for our families, stay active and reduce our risk of long-term conditions such as dementia. It is a cornerstone of a healthy society — as vital as good mental health in helping people live the lives they choose. 

Today, 20.8 million people in the UK — almost one in three of us — are living with an MSK condition. These conditions affect muscles, bones, joints and connective tissues, and include arthritis. They can affect anyone, at any age, from children to working-age adults and older people. 

Arthritis and other MSK conditions are the most common cause of disability and a leading cause of long-term pain and fatigue. Too often, they rob people of independence, agency and dignity, and can drive loneliness and isolation. Without timely support, many people are forced to rely on social care that is too often unavailable, increasing their sense of hopelessness. 

They are also the second most common reason for sickness absence from work, and their treatment and care cost the NHS billions each year. Improving outcomes for people with MSK conditions would therefore have profound benefits for individuals, society, the NHS and the economy. 

The case for urgent action on arthritis and other MSK conditions is compelling. Yet action to date has fallen short of the sustained, system-wide and cross-government approach needed. As a result, millions of people are waiting too long for diagnosis, treatment and the vital support they need to live well. 

Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s new UK government has an opportunity to change this. It can set a new direction and deliver meaningful change for the millions of people living with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions.

The case for action on arthritis

"Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his new cabinet face no shortage of complex health challenges. However, delivering for people with arthritis and MSK conditions should be close to the top of their list because adults with chronic MSK conditions have more than three times the odds of reporting poor health. People with arthritis also have a higher risk of having other major long-term conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and mental health conditions. Put simply, we can’t improve the nation’s overall health or increase the years people live in good health, without improving MSK health.

People living in the places the Prime Minister has expressed his passion and commitment for – places that feel left behind, that are experiencing high levels of poverty and deprivation are the very places that MSK conditions are more prevalent. And to make it worse, people living in economic disadvantage are more likely to develop those conditions 10-15 years earlier than someone who is affluent and to be living with two or more long term conditions. That means they will spend more of their life living with painful chronic conditions which take away their ability to be economically active and live full and fulfilling lives.

In fact, MSK conditions are among the leading causes of sickness absence and economic inactivity, accounting for an estimated 27.3 million working days lost in the UK in 2025 alone. But with earlier support, joined-up care, support and advice on how to stay active and manage the pain and fatigue associated with these incurable conditions, more people could be helped to stay in work.

What is needed

To address the current inadequacy of delivery for people with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions we would like to see the following:

1. A costed and time-bound cross-government strategy on MSK health to tackle the significant impact arthritis and other MSK conditions have on people, society, the NHS and the economy. This should include a clear commitment to improving primary and community data so we can better understand people’s experiences and target our interventions effectively. It should also include clarity on how MSK conditions will be supported in places through the new neighbourhood health partnerships. Delivering effectively for people living with MSK conditions should be a priority for every Integrated Care Board (ICB). 
2. A steely focus on reducing waiting times for joint replacement surgery. People with arthritis are waiting too long for diagnosis, treatment and support. This includes unacceptable waits for joint replacement surgery that could restore mobility and independence. People with MSK conditions make up the largest group on elective surgery waiting lists, and despite the Government’s Elective Reform Plan, targets remain far from being met for patients waiting for joint replacement surgery.
3. A realistic plan to support people to remain in or stay in work. Arthritis UK’s ’Left Waiting, Left Behind’ report revealed that 50% of people said that arthritis had impacted their ability to work in some way, of which stopping work was the biggest reported impact of having arthritis (39%). Insufficient workplace support that does not meet individual needs forces many people to leave or change jobs, or retire early, often without full pension contributions putting them at greater risk of poverty in later life.
4. Reform of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) that effectively supports people with arthritis and other MSK conditions to live independently by providing support with the additional costs of living with a disability: People with arthritis are one of the largest groups relying on disability cost support. A functional PIP system as part of broader welfare provision aimed at maximising people’s independence is one that gets decisions right first time, recognises fluctuating conditions over time, treats people with arthritis with dignity, and reduces avoidable stress and churn, while ensuring support is targeted to those who need it most.

The time to transform arthritis care is now

People with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions have waited long enough, and without a change in direction we risk letting them down as well as people who will develop these conditions in the future. The good news is that we know many of the things that will make a real difference and now is the time for action. At Arthritis UK, we stand ready and willing to work with the new government to deliver it."